Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the Bell Centre. Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin starting to heat up with first hat trick of season

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Nov 20, 2025 10:44 PM ET

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin was off to a slow start this season, scoring just three goals in his first 15 games. It was not only a slow start, it was one of the slowest starts of his career and perhaps starting some concern as to whether or not father time was finally catching up to him.

The past week or so is showing that is not the case.

That includes Thursday's 8-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens where Ovechkin recorded his first hat trick of the season and the 33rd of his career.

Alex Ovechkin getting on a roll for Capitals

With his hat trick on Thursday, Ovechkin is now up to 10 goals in 21 games this season, including seven in his past six games. That includes a four-game goal-scoring streak.

That streak also brings him back to a 39-goal pace over an 82-game season, which remains an absolutely bonkers number for a 40-year-old player.

The #Gr8 knows a thing or two about empty-netters and hat tricks pic.twitter.com/Dt88BnAlyS
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 21, 2025

In the history of the league only three players have ever scored more than 30 goals in a season after turning 40. Gordie Howe did it two times (1968-69 and 1969-70), while Johnny Buyck (1975-76) and Teemu Selanne (2010-11) each did it one time.

The most goals ever scored by a player 40 or older was Howe's 44 during the 1968-69 season.

The added bonus for the Capitals is that his recent hot streak has helped turn around a slow start for the team. Washington is now 4-1-1 in its past six games and has made a big climb up the Eastern Conference standings.

The Capitals were a playoff team the past seasons, but were going to struggle to get back if Ovechkin did not start heating up. Especially with the long-term injury to center Pierre-Luc Dubois. As good as the Capitals roster it is, it does not have a lot of difference-makers on it. Ovechkin, even at his age, can still be one. He is starting to show it again.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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